A Flavonoid-rich Zuccagnia punctata Extract Prevents High Fat Diet-induced Normal Weight Obesity in a Rabbit Model.

Oral administration of rich in flavonoids hydroalcoholic extract from Zuccagnia punctata (ZpE) improves lipid profile and prevents vascular dysfunction in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of ZpE to prevent metabolic and vascular alterations induced by high fat diet (HFD) on a metabolically obese and normal weight rabbit model. The major components of ZpE were analyzed by HPLC method. Rabbits were separated into six groups: 1-fed on standard chow (CD); 2-fed on HFD; 3, 4, 5- fed on HFD and orally administrated 2.5 mg, 5 mg or 10 mg GAE/day of ZpE, respectively (ZpE- HFD); 6- fed on HFD and orally administered 30 mg orlistat/day (Or-HFD). All diets were administrated by 6 weeks. The major compounds of ZpE identified were chalcones: 2',4'-dihydroxy-3'-methoxychalcone and 2',4'-dihydroxychalcone. Oral treatment with ZpE 5 mg GAE/day as well as orlistat prevented the HFD-induced increase of triglycerides, fasting glucose, intraperitoneal glucose test, white cells, and TyG index. Acetylcholine relaxation was reduced in arteries from HFD group and oral administration of ZpE reached this response to CD values. Contractile response to angiotensin II was lower in arteries from rabbits fed on HFD treated with ZpE 5 and 10 mg GAE/day than those of untreated rabbits. Moreover, ZpE could inhibit the activity of pancreatic lipase in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion the ZpE may prevent normal weight obesity by inhibiting the pancreatic lipase. Thus, the use of ZpE as a natural product in the prevention of metabolic syndrome and endothelial dysfunction is very promising.

Oral administration of Zuccagnia punctata extract improves lipid profile, reduces oxidative stress and prevents vascular dysfunction in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

BACKGROUND: The consumption of flavonoids has been shown to prevent cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis. In this sense, in a recent in vitro study we demonstrated that a rich in flavonoids extract from Zuccagnia punctata has beneficial effects on vascular function in aorta from hypercholesterolemic rabbits. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of a hydroalcoholic extract from Z.puncata (ZpE) to prevent alterations induced by high cholesterol diet in rabbits. METHODS: The major components of the ZpE, flavonoids, were analyzed by using a validated reversed phase HPLC method. Rabbits were separated in five groups: fed standard chow (CD); CD orally administrated 2.5 mg, 5 mg or 10 mg GAE/day ZpE (ZpE- CD); fed 1% cholesterol-enriched chow (HD); HD orally administrated 2.5 mg GAE/day ZpE (ZpE-HD); HD orally administrated 2.5 mg rosuvastatin/day (Ro-HD). All diets were administrated by 6 weeks. Body weights (BW), mean blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), visceral abdominal fat (VAF), organ weight (heart, kidney, liver) and vascular morphology were determined. Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), fasting glucose (FG), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), bilirubin, creatinine, thiobarbituric acids reactive substances (TBARS) and glutathione reduced/oxidized index were measured in serum. Abdominal aorta was excised and vascular function was assessed by acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusiate relaxation and contractile response to norepinephrine and angiotensin II. RESULTS: The major compounds of ZpE identified were chalcones: 2',4'-dihydroxy-3'-methoxychalcone and 2',4'-dihydroxychalcone. Oral treatment with ZpE reduced MAP, TC, TG, TBARS, aortic intima/media ratio and increased glutathione reduced/oxidized index in HD rabbits. No differences were found in AST, ALT, bilirubin or creatinine. Acetylcholine relaxation was normalized and contractile response to norepinephrine and angiotensin II was reduced in ZpE-HD. CONCLUSION: Oral administration of ZpE as natural product in the prevention of cardiovascular disease related with hypercholesterolemia and endothelial dysfunction is very promising.

Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity Characterization and Toxicity Studies of Flowers of "Jarilla", a Medicinal Shrub from Argentina.

Zuccagnia punctata Cav. (Fabaceae) is an Argentine medicinal aromatic shrub (jarilla pispito, puspus, lata and jarilla macho). The chalcones were identified as pigments responsible for the yellow color of the flowers. Hydroethanolic extracts were obtained both from fresh flowers and from flowers dried by lyophilization. The extracts were standardized by their phenolic and flavonoids content. Their fingerprints by HPLC-DAD indicated the presence of two chalcones as major compounds (2',4'-dihydroxychalcone and 2',4'-dihydroxy-3'-methoxychalcone). Both extracts showed the same total phenolic, non-flavonoid phenolic and flavonoid phenolic content and their phenolic profiles were similar. The polyphenolic extracts exhibited antioxidant (free radical scavenging and inhibitory activity on lipoperoxidation) and anti-inflammatory (inhibition of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase enzymes) activities. The flower extracts were active against six Candida species with MIC values between 60 and 120 µg GAE x mL(-1) and were also active on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MIC: 250 µg GAE x mL(-1)) and Enterococcus faecalis (MIC: 500 µg GAE x mL(-1)). The extracts were neither toxic (Artemia salina test) nor mutagenic (Ames test). Jarilla flowers could be considered as a new dietary supplement that could help to prevent pathologies associated with oxidative stress and the polyphenolic extract obtained from them could be considered as a standardized phytotherapeutic product with antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of this work was to determine the pigments responsible for the yellow color of the flowers of Z. punctata and to evaluate the functional properties of the polyphenolic extract of the flowers. The toxicity (Artemia salina) and mutagenic activity (Ames test) of the extract were also evaluated.

Nutritional and functional properties of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts from Argentinean propolis.

Bee propolis is a natural product extensively used as an ingredient in functional foods in amounts that may confer health benefits. The aim of this study was to investigate the nutritional and functional properties (antioxidant activity) of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of propolis samples from Santiago del Estero province, northern Argentina. All propolis extracts contained macronutrients (glucose, fructose, sucrose and proteins), micronutrients (Na, K, Ca, P and Mg) and trace elements (Fe). Spectrophotometric, TLC and HPLC-DAD analyses showed the presence of several phenolic, flavonoid and non-flavonoid compounds, but in all cases the flavonoids prevailed. The PCA of polyphenolic content provided a clear separation of propolis in Group 1 (SE1, 2, 3, 4 and 7) and Group 2 (SE5 and 6) associated with phenolic compound content and collection regions. Two compounds, pinocembrin and chrysin, which could be used as chemical markers of Santiago del Estero propolis, were identified in all samples. Propolis samples extracted with water presented better radical scavenging ability than ethanolic extracts, independent of the antioxidant method (scavenging activity of ABTS*+, DPPH*, HO* and O2(-)* and beta-carotene bleaching test). Such results correlated closely with the levels of total phenols and flavonoids in samples. The results justify the use of Argentine propolis as a functional dietary supplement.

Effect of seasonality on chemical composition and antibacterial and anticandida activities of Argentine propolis. Design of a topical formulation.

The effect of seasonality on Argentine propolis collected during one year on its phenolic and flavonoid content and on the growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative antibiotic resistant bacteria and Candida species was evaluated. Extracts of propolis samples collected in the summer and spring showed higher phenolic and flavonoid contents than the samples collected in other seasons (5.86 to 6.06 mg GAE/mL and 3.77 to 4.23 mg QE/mL, respectively). The propolis collected in summer and autumn showed higher antibacterial activity (30 microg/mL) than the other samples (MIC values between 30 and 120 microg/mL). No antibacterial activity was detected against Gram-negative bacteria. Also, these extracts were able to inhibit the development of five Candida species, with MFC values of 15-120 microg/mL. Pharmaceutical formulations containing the more active propolis extract were prepared. The hydrogel of acrylic acid polymer containing summer propolis extract as an antimicrobial agent showed microbiological, physical and functional stability during storage for 180 days. The pharmaceutical preparation, as well as the propolis extracts, was active against Candida sp. and antibiotic-multi-resistant Gram-positive bacteria. These results reveal that propolis samples collected by scraping in four seasons, especially in summer in Calingasta, San Juan, Argentina, can be used to obtain tinctures and hydrogels with antibacterial and antimycotic potential for topical use.

Chalcones in bioactive Argentine propolis collected in arid environments.

The aim of this study was to assess the chemical and biological profile of propolis samples collected in arid environments of north-western Argentina. The samples were from two phytogeographical regions (Prepuna and Monte de Catamarca Province). Propolis ethanolic extracts (PEE) and chloroform (CHL), hexane (HEX) and aqueous (AQ) sub-extracts of samples from three regions (CAT-I; CAT-II and CAT-III) were obtained. All PEE exhibited antioxidant activity in the DPPH radical scavenging assay (SC50 values between 28 and 43 microg DW/mL). The CHL extract was the most active (SC50 values between 10 and 37 microg DW/mL). The antioxidant activity in the beta-carotene bleaching assays was more effective for PEE and CHL (IC50 values between 2 and 9 microg DW/mL, respectively). A similar pattern was observed for antibacterial activity. The highest inhibitory effect on the growth of human Gram-positive bacteria was observed for CHL-III and CHL-I (Monte region) with minimal inhibitory concentration values (MIC100) of 50 to 100 microg DW/mL. Nine compounds were identified by HPLC-PAD. Two of them (2', 4'- dihydroxychalcone and 2',4'- dihydroxy 3'-methoxychalcone) were found only in propolis samples from the Monte phytogeographical region. We consider that the Argentine arid region is appropriate to place hives in order to obtain propolis of excellent quality because the dominant life forms in that environment are shrubby species that produce resinous exudates with a high content of chalcones, flavones and flavonols.

Physico-chemical and toxicological assessment of liquid wastes from olive processing-related industries.

BACKGROUND: In the last few years, agricultural uses of waste waters from olive processing-related industries have been gaining interest mainly with a view to composting or bio-fertilizers. The present work examines physico-chemical, toxicological and geno-toxicological properties of three liquid wastes, namely olive mill wastewater (OMWW), olive wet husk and olive brine. The effect of OMWW spreading on soil microbial activity and biomass was also evaluated. RESULTS: Data from Artemia salina and Lactuca sativa toxicity tests indicated high levels of lethality, and inhibitory effects on seed germination and seedling growth of all olive wastes. The genotoxicity assays using Allium cepa tests showed contrasting results. At high concentrations, olive wastes caused inhibition or suppression of mitosis. However, they did not produce induced anaphase aberrations. Data on reversion of Salmonella thyphimurium strains using the Ames test indicated that the olive wastes did not present mutagenic activity. Results from the field experiment showed that OMWW at a 500 m(3) ha(-1) had the highest values of both soil microbial activity and biomass after 3 months of the amendment application. CONCLUSION: This work adds new data for environmental risk assessment of olive industrial wastes. Direct use of olive wastes for agricultural purposes should be limited owing to their possible chemotoxic, phytotoxic and antimicrobial effects.

Bioactivities of Chuquiraga straminea sandwith.

Methanolic extracts of Chuquiraga straminea Sandwith, subfamily Barnadesioideae (Asteraceae) showed the presence of quercetin-3-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity was determined. The total extracts showed antioxidant activity by DPPH and ABTS method (SC50 14.5 to 34.9 microg/mL). A significantly positive correlation was observed between the antioxidant activity and the total phenolics (R2 > 0.93). The extracts were active against ten methicillin resistant and sensitive Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from nosocomial infection (MIC values between 200 to 800 microg/mL). These preliminary studies are highly interesting as they open new ways for further applications in the treatment of infections by methicillin resistant S. aureus.

Industrial effluents and surface waters genotoxicity and mutagenicity evaluation of a river of Tucuman, Argentina.

Assessment of water pollution and its effect upon river biotic communities and human health is indispensable to develop control and management strategies. The aim of this work was to ascertain the biotoxicity of water pollution in samples from industrial effluent discharge areas of Tucumán, Argentina by means of biological tests. Chemical characterization of the water pollution was verified by measuring dissolved oxygen concentration or levels of suspended matter and salts. Genotoxic/mutagenic potential was determined using Allium anaphase-telophase and Ames/Salmonella tests. All samples were phytotoxic and genotoxic for Allium roots. Micronucleus and anaphase aberrations were observed, but they did not show mutagenic effects on Salmonella typhimurium, TA98 and TA100 strains with and without metabolic activation (S9). Our results show the importance of testing industrial effluents by chemical methods and complementary biological tests to optimize the control policy on these environmental samples.